Turkmen leader celebrates birthday with J.Lo
TURKMENISTAN: US pop diva Jennifer Lopez sang happy birthday on
Sunday to Turkmenistan leader Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov in a lavish
celebration at a $2-billion Caspian Sea resort in the Central Asian
state.
J.Lo is believed to be the first major Western star to visit the
isolated former Soviet republic, known primarily for its vast gas
reserves and a dismal human rights record.
Dressed in a clingy outfit, the singer danced with half-naked backing
dancers and shook her famous behind in a rare performance for the Muslim
country, watched by ministers, ambassadors and chief executives of
state-owned companies, all of whom applauded enthusiastically.
She later appeared in a traditional Turkmen dress to sing "Happy
birthday, Mr President" along with stars from Russia, Ukraine, Turkey
and China.
Berdymukhamedov's 56th birthday bash at the glitzy resort in Avaza,
which means "land of singing waves", is officially tied to Turkmen
cultural week, which culminated on Saturday with the opening of a yacht
club at the resort and a firework display which lasted 20 minutes.
Ahead of the show, members of Lopez's entourage were busy tweeting.
"I wonder were all my Turkmenistan followers are!? Hit me up!" her
choreographer J.R. Taylor wrote on Twitter account @Didntinviteme,
noting that "The Turkmenistan Breeze feels amazing at night."
"Celebrating the birthday of #Gurbangulyberdimuhamedow President of
#Turkmenistan... tonight!!" said the account @JLoDancers.
Development of the 16-kilometre (10-mile) stretch of shore in Avaza
is a major project aiming to host up to 20,000 tourists annually when it
is completed in 2020.
Berdymukhamedov, a former dentist, also on Saturday unveiled the
country's first yacht club with 40 moorings and 44 villas, built with
investment from Turkey. "New large projects in Avaza will not only work
to make it more attractive as a modern comfortable resort but serve as a
push to develop tourism on the Turkmen coast," the Turkmen leader said
after a boat show marked the opening. On Friday he also oversaw the
grand opening of 12 new hotels at the resort.
AFP |